Edinson Cavani scored a double on Thursday as Uruguay thrashed Mexico 3-0 in a warm-up match for both teams heading into the World Cup that opens in November.
The Uruguayan star striker scored at 46 and 54 minutes, while José Giménez rounded the account at 35 for La Celeste, dominating the match in the state of Arizona.
Cavani, 35, now has 56 goals and is 12 behind all-time striker Luis Suarez, who was absent from Uruguay’s squad for his two games on United States courts.
His next commitment will be on Sunday in Kansas City, against the American team and then he will return home to receive Jamaica, on June 11, at the Centennial.
The team led by Diego Alonso opens in the World Cup on November 24 against South Korea, will face Portugal on the 28th and closes the first phase of Group H against Ghana on December 2.
For Mexico, the setback is its first in the preparation tour of three commitments that it carries out on US soil. On Saturday they beat Nigeria 2-1 and next Sunday they will play against Ecuador in Chicago.
The result aggravates doubts about the team led by Argentine Gerardo Martino, who said the day before that he expected an improvement after a poor performance against the Nigerians and a lackluster finish in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
It was not so.
Using several players who are shaping up to be starters on November 22, when Mexico starts the World Cup against Poland, El Tri showed the same offensive shortcomings that affected him in recent games.
Martino stepped out of his traditional 4-3-3 formation to play with a line of five at the back and two recovery midfielders. In front he placed two men on the outside and with Raúl Jiménez as a reference at the top.
The match was balanced from the start, although the Uruguayans gave a first warning at 13 with a shot at the post by Federico Valverde.
After that, the match became rocky and there was a lot of fighting in midfield until Cavani hit a header in the small area from a corner kick, rejected by goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera. Giménez took the rebound to push the ball into the back of the net.
The Mexicans generated their first shot on goal in the 42nd minute. Jesús Corona’s attempt was contained by goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
Uruguay extended their advantage at the start of the second half when Facundo Pallistri sent a cross from the right into the area, where Cavani appeared to finish off and leave goalkeeper Talavera without a chance.
There would be one more contribution from the star just out of Manchester United. He took a ball on the outskirts of the area and executed a powerful forehand that entered the right post of the goal defended by Talavera.
After that, Mexico made changes looking for more depth, but did little to get rid of the zero.
The outlook does not look good for a Mexican team that will also have Argentina and Saudi Arabia as World Cup rivals.
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